GMCTerrain

2018 GMC Terrain Denali Review: Nice, But A Big Price

– Detroit, Michigan

There’s certainly nothing wrong with the GMC Terrain Denali; it’s a nice way to get to a family Thanksgiving celebration one state over. But with a sticker price in the $40,000 range, I start to expect a little more from a crossover, and this one doesn’t necessarily deliver. Yes, you get lots of chrome and many fancy standard features, but many of them are offered on the cheaper Chevy Equinox. You can even get this model’s 2.0-liter turbo engine on the Equinox. And based on my drive, the Terrain rides more loudly and more stiffly than the Chevy, too. Given all that, it’s hard to see why this model makes rational sense for SUV shoppers.

Pros

Plenty of style. Lots of chrome, a brash grille, and a nicely trimmed interior all make this Terrain Denali pleasing to the eye. It’s far sleeker than the last Terrain’s overtly boxy design, and its interior is fresher, too. As a premium design statement, the Denali trim level handily stands out from other crossovers.

Strong powertrain. The 2.0-liter turbo engine delivers plenty of punch at all speeds, delivered smoothly through the quick-shifting nine-speed automatic. Though the four-cylinder thrashes and moans when worked hard, it’s always ready to deliver all the acceleration I need for passing slow-moving trucks and minivans on the highway.

Future-proofed tech. This Terrain is the first car I’ve driven with a USB Type-C port. That’s the new universal charging standard for smartphones, tablets, and even laptops, so...